The Unobvious Ones is a month-to-month take a look at movers and shakers who fly under the radar within the Canadian auto trade.
ANDREW KEE
THE QUEST TO KICK THE CHEMICALS OUT OF FOAM
Automakers need sustainability, however in addition they need snug seats for his or her autos. That could be a problem for suppliers.
Seat-and-interior-foam producer Woodbridge, primarily based in Mississauga, Ont., is specializing in sustainability with a course of to make a few of the foam carbon dioxide-neutral.
“Automakers are not prepared to give up comfort, and the focus has shifted to sustainable or renewable, not just lighter and cheaper,” mentioned Andrew Kee, Woodbridge’s company scientist and director of sustainability.
“I’m guiding my team as we hunt for opportunities to displace non-sustainable chemicals and components in our products.”
Kee appears to be like at new uncooked supplies provided by suppliers, which his three-person crew consider.
When a viable product is created, such because the carbon dioxide-neutral foam, Kee and members of Woodbridge’s advertising and marketing crew current it to automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.
“From a technical standpoint, I am the bridge between the lab and the automakers.”
Kee, 50, has a PhD in polymer chemistry. “My father was a highschool chemistry trainer, and I really like chemistry and it got here straightforward to me.
“When I got here out of college, Woodbridge was doing a marketing campaign of hiring the subsequent technology of chemists and engineers. I began as a senior chemist and I’ve been [there] 22 years.
“I love cars and the fast-paced nature of the auto industry.”
Seat foam is difficult, and Kee has assessed many sustainable merchandise that at the moment can’t be scaled up for manufacturing. Developing round applied sciences that flip end-of-life supplies into new ones is the final word aim, however engaging in that goal with seat foam is “on the horizon, at best,” he mentioned.
“A lot of people think sustainability is just out the tailpipe, but it’s cradle to grave. Our overarching theme is to get the CO2 footprint down in our foam.”
BRYAN LEAITCH
IT’S A TEAM EFFORT TO GET CARS TO CUSTOMERS
The COVID-19 pandemic created a sequence response of issues for automakers.
Early on, they couldn’t ship autos to dealerships when authorities well being pointers locked them down. More broadly — and longer lasting — the worldwide microchip scarcity continues to chop car output at factories.
Bryan Leaitch, nationwide supervisor of gross sales operations for Mazda Canada in Richmond Hill, Ont., has met these challenges, head-on. His wide-ranging job contains ordering autos from the auto firm and getting them delivered throughout Canada.
“I manage a team of seven, and my average day is just connecting everything,” Leaitch mentioned. “We have sales targets we need to hit and vehicles we have to launch. With the CX-50, we coordinated a simultaneous launch, so each of our 153 retailers got a showcase [vehicle] within a 24-hour period [of one another]. There’s a lot to do to get that.”
The crew additionally takes care of fleet prospects, inner firm autos and sellers, finding autos and answering questions on supply timing.
Leaitch, 42, mentioned he “always had a nose for business” and graduated with a level in it. He accomplished a co-op place with General Motors and was then employed as a district gross sales supervisor by its financing division. Leaitch moved into Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) for just a few years, and in 2011 moved to Mazda.
“Mazda didn’t have CPO, and I was hired to create, develop and launch the first-ever CPO for Canada. I also had to launch remarketing for lease vehicles. In 2015, I was ready for the next challenge and was promoted to national manager.”
It was his first time managing a crew.
“I focus on inspiring my team to be brand ambassadors,” Leaitch mentioned. “There are no titles in my meetings. I need everyone to find the best solution, and when things change rapidly we have to pivot. Everything’s in flux and that will continue for the next little while.”
Source: canada.autonews.com
